Preston Hardware: A Shopper’s Guide
Why You Should Visit
- Extensive Selection: You’ll find a wide array of products, from kitchen and bath fixtures to gardening supplies, Milwaukee tools, and even hard-to-find items like obsolete barbeque covers. They’re well-stocked for larger projects like house building or even just constructing a simple bookcase.
- Knowledgeable and Helpful Staff: The staff consistently receives praise for their friendliness, helpfulness, and expertise. They go above and beyond to assist customers, offering advice, finding solutions to problems (even identifying warranty items!), and even providing extra services like attaching eye nuts to purchased items.
- Family-Run Business with a Great Atmosphere: The store has a welcoming atmosphere with a family-run feel. The owner is often present and involved. The indoor space features a stylish and authentic Italian design (in at least one location), ideal for social gatherings.
- Competitive Pricing: A complete dinner (salad, drink, appetizer, steak, dessert) cost $110, considered reasonable by one diner. The price of products, including delivery, is competitive with online retailers like Amazon.
- Convenient Services: Online ordering and delivery are available, with a flat delivery rate of $9.99 plus tax. The store has a loading bay for easy pickup of large orders.
- Exceptional Customer Service: Many shoppers highlight the exceptional service they received. Employees go above and beyond to assist with repairs, often solving problems without additional charges. The staff efficiently handles online inquiries, and attempts are made to rectify defective products, even if it requires a full refund.
Why You Might Consider Alternatives
- Inconsistent Customer Service Experiences: While many rave about the excellent service, there are reports of staff ignoring customers. One customer described a negative experience trying to inquire about a promotional BBQ event, being ignored multiple times despite polite requests for assistance.
- Accessibility Issues: The front door may not be accessible to all, specifically those with mobility devices.
- Delayed Customer Service Responses: Though refunds are eventually given, there’s a report of slow response times to customer service inquiries, including phone calls and emails regarding defective products. This was noted specifically with a defective watering spike, with significant delays in responding to emails and phone calls.
- Missing Order Items: A customer reported receiving a curtain rod missing necessary hardware.
